The Squamish Landholders' Association's efforts to squash the district's affordable housing plan paid off just moments before its tentative adoption. At a strategy session on Monday (Feb. 11) council opted to delay its decision on the troubled plan in order to meet with the landholders. The association put in its request to meet on Jan. 29, just two months after scoffing the policy through a White Paper that deemed it was a "burden" for taxpayers that would help "only a chosen few."Their latest submission to council appeared to be a change of heart. President Shan Trouton said the group "strongly agrees that having an affordable housing policy is desirable for the district."Sutherland said he was not convinced."Why would we push back the entire policy for one group's letter?" he asked. "I can't believe we're throwing away a year - a year-and-a-half of work because of one group that boycotted every friggin' meeting on this issue."While he argued it was wrong to halt the Mixed Income Housing Policy to serve them, Coun. Corinne Lonsdale was eager to hear from the seemingly reformed group.Her position got the Mayor's temper flaring.As she described how she likes to serve all her constituents, Sutherland barked: "Oh stop the politicking stuff.""It's not the politicking stuff," she replied. "Let's not go there Mr. Sutherland.""This is unbelievable," he sighed in response.At the end of the discussion, the "unbelievable" came true, as council passed a motion to delay the plan for the landholders.Sutherland and Heintzman were opposed to the motion.If a decision had been made on the policy, it is not clear whether it would have been a positive one.When planner Sabina FooFat presented updated numbers on the plan, its promise was largely deflated.An SQ Studio suite with approximately 500 square feet was only option within reach of the targeted group (those making 80 per cent or less of the median income, meaning households bringing in $51,840 annually or less)."What happens when they have kids?" asked Lonsdale.FooFat said such parents could save up for a larger affordable housing option, or the units could be sold at a greater discount, which would mean less available overall.She emphasized the policy was flexible and could be modified on a regular basis to fit different scenarios. When the discussion paused for other unrelated delegations, FooFat returned with new numbers. By using a model with a 40-year mortgage rate of 5.25 per cent, even townhouses were within reach for households making $52,000 or less.Lonsdale questioned whether a mortgage rate of 5.25 per cent was realistic.FooFat produced numbers from the Garibaldi Mortgage website, which were no lower than 5.5 per cent, in this case for a one-year term. Coun. Mike Jenson added that such rates are usually only offered to preferred customers with good credit ratings.While staff acknowledged the policy had problems, thy urged staff to move it forward and fine tune it later, saying a framework to show developers would ensure current residential projects allotted space or money for affordable housing."We don't have a framework to work in," said planning director Cameron Chalmers. "We've just been making it up as we go."With the plan put on hold while the landholders meet with council, it seems this approach will continue indefinitely."I am telling you very bluntly, we will not be able to jump on this right away," Chalmers said.
